salt_2005_03_04

For Volunteers, Donors and NonprofitsNo. 8Mar-Apr 2005

Corporate Givingin Singapore

The Issues and the Top 5Corporate Philanthropists

After theTsunami

A New Spirit Rises

All My ChildrenGoh Eng Kee Shares

his Passion for Kids

Samsung’s HopeBridging the Digital Divide

HOME-ward BoundHumanitarian Organisation

for Migration Economics

Manwith a

MissionMercy Relief’s

Zulkifli Baharudin

2 LETTER FROM SALT

4 MAILBAG

6 NEWS BRIEFSA wrap-up of events, programmes

and activities in the People Sector.

PEOPLE MOVEMENTSAppointments and new postings in

the People Sector.

11 VOLUNTEER PROFILEWhen it comes to volunteering,

Jenny Goh oozes infectious energy.

13 PEOPLE SECTOR PEOPLEThere’s no such thing as too many

kids for World Vision Singapore’s

Goh Eng Kee.

19 MEASURE OF SALTSpotlight on key humanitarian

organisations.

25 WALK THE TALKTech giant Samsung brings digital

hope to the world.

28 SALT AND PEPPERCan companies do more for charity?

Professor Cham Tao Soon certainly

thinks so.

31 NEW SALTForeign workers in Singapore now

have a place called HOME.

32 SCENE AND SEEN

35 CALENDAR

36 A DASH OF SALT

Mar-Apr 2005 S A LT • 1

contents

DEPARTMENTS

SALT No. 8 Mar-Apr 2005

14RITES OFPASSAGEA classic test casefor the nonprofitsector, the Asiantsunami crisispresentedunprecedentedchallenges for aidorganisations andindividuals. Guestwriter MONICAGWEE treads thepost-tsunamiground.

20 To Give or Not to GiveIn the second of three featureson Singapore’s philanthropiclandscape, SUZANNE LIMchecks in on the localcorporate giving scene tofind out how companies areaddressing the conundrum– to give or not to give?

ON THE COVERThe Asian tsunami crisis thrust Mercy Reliefinto the spotlight, but its Chairman ZulfikliBaharudin is on an even bigger mission.Guest writer CHEAH UI-HOON finds out.Story on page 26.

Cover photo of Zulkifli Baharudin at Ground Zero in Meulaboh.

G�VEOr Not to Give?

TO

2 • S A LT Mar-Apr 2005

SALT is a nonprofit magazine with a managed circulation for members of

nonprofit organisations, grant-makers and companies in Singapore.

Those interested in receiving a copy,please email [email protected].

We regret that the print run prevents fulfilling all requests.

International readers please email subscriber requests and mailing details.

There will be an annual postage and handling charge for all international subscribers.

EDITORSuzanne Lim

CONTRIBUTORSDaven Wu

Brenda Yeo

PUBLISHING CONSULTANT AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE

Epigram

SALT is published bi-monthly by the National Volunteer

& Philanthropy Centre7 Maxwell Road

#05-01 Annex B, MND Complex Singapore 069111

Tel: 6550 9595 Fax: 6221 0625

Website: www.nvpc.org.sgEmail: [email protected]

Copyright is held by the publisher.All rights reserved.

Production in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

The views and opinions expressed or implied in SALT are those of the authors

and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.

Printed by Fabulous Printers

MITA (P) 027/11/2004

To advertise, please call Suzanne Lim at tel: 6550 9563 Email: [email protected]

orCynthia Tay at tel: 6292 4456

Email: [email protected]

L E T T E R F R O M S A L T

The 24/7 coverage of the tsunami disaster by the media ensured that we wereall kept well informed – perhaps too well informed. The media bombardmentcarried the risk that it could end up being “newzak” – when we’ve become

numb to the news and hardly feel the loss.Yet, these constant images did not quite prepare me for what I saw with my own

eyes when I visited Meulaboh in Aceh in the second week of January. As we flewthere in the SAF Chinook, seeing mile after mile of destruction along the coast putthings firmly back in perspective for me.

But side by side with the destruction, I also saw hope, encapsulated by thecooperation between the various armed forces, the UN and relief agencies fromaround the world that had descended on Meulaboh.

I was impressed with the resoluteness and openness of the Indonesians and thesincerity of the International Red Cross that came to help. Many of the PMI(Indonesian Red Cross) officers themselves had lost their family members andfriends in the disaster, but they were able to put their personal grief aside to help inthe relief efforts to ensure that life can go on for the people of Meulaboh.

And life indeed does go on, as this issue of SALT shows.While we cover the tsunami in our lead story and feature Zulkifli Baharudin,

Chairman of Mercy Relief, a Singapore NGO that has been at the forefront ofSingapore’s response to the relief efforts, we continue with our other features.

In the second of a series on the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre’slandmark philanthropy survey, we look at just how generous companies in Singaporeare when it comes to charitable giving. Professor Cham Tao Soon lends his voice inSalt & Pepper on how he thinks corporates can do more.

Elsewhere, the Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME)champions the welfare of neglected migrant workers in Singapore, while Samsungdemonstrates how the digital world can bring hope to the less fortunate in society.

During turbulent times like these, we could all do with more hope.

Ho Sun YeeChief Operating OfficerNational Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre

COO Ho Sun Yee (second from left) and CEO TanChee Koon (extreme right) with members of

the International Red Cross team in Meulaboh.


MAILBAGDO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE? We welcome your letters, news ofupcoming events and pictures. Please send them to SALT, 7 Maxwell Road, #05-01Annex B, MND Complex, Singapore 069111; or email [email protected]. Pleaseinclude your name, address and daytime phone number. Letters and articles may be edited for space and clarity.

An Eye-Opening ReadDear Editor,

Congratulations to the editorial team at SALT for putting out one of the mostintelligent social publications I have come across in Singapore. Not only are the

articles full of useful information, they are eye-opening and inspirational as well.I particularly enjoyed the profile on Venerable Shi Ming Yi in the Nov-Dec 2004issue that caught the very essence of this remarkable man. It is indeed no easy taskcatering to the diverse needs and issues faced by the various groups that needsupport in our community, whether through volunteers or funds. However, SALT isdefinitely an instrument that can raise the awareness of ongoing issues and concernsto a much higher level of consciousness. I look forward to reading future issues.

Pearl Lee, Marketing Consultant

Giving to Overseas Causes

Dear Editor,

It was interesting to find out in yourstory on individual giving in Singapore

(Jan-Feb 2005 issue) that donations as apercentage of GNI for Singapore standsat 0.28%, much lower than that forUK (0.73%) and USA (1.64%).I am sure that after the tsunami reliefefforts by so many people in Singaporethat this percentage has significantlyincreased. The Singapore government’swillingness to allow organisationsinvolved in the tsunami relief efforts tohave an exemption from the rulegoverning the percentage of donationsthat can be used outside of Singaporewas indeed gratifying. However, I cannothelp but wonder if this is part of thereason that Singaporeans don’t give asmuch as other countries. Maybe in aland with so much success, they seelittle need.

In 2003, I worked with UNIFEMSingapore, PrimeTime Business andProfessional Women’s Association,ENGENDER (a Singapore organisation),and John Erdos Gallery to raise fundsfor a project called Woven Dreams:Economic Empowerment for Women inLaos. It was very difficult and timeconsuming to try and figure out how tocomply with the regulations stipulatingthe percentage of money that couldbe sent out of Singapore. PerhapsSingaporeans don’t feel the push to helpas most of the charity donations aretargeted at remaining in Singapore.I hope that the good that comes out ofthe tsunami relief efforts will includelooking at providing easy opportunitiesfor Singaporeans and expatriates livingin Singapore to donate to those lessfortunate around the world.

Leslie Swanson

Repartee with SALT’s firstShaker & MoverDear Willie,

Just got my Jan-Feb 2005 issue of SALT.Thought I should write to congratulate

you on the publication. Frankly I had mydoubts initially when you told me aboutyour intention to launch SALT.

As usual, I am wrong. It is a good read!

Jennie Chua, CEO, Raffles Holdings &Chairperson, Community Chest

Editor’s note: Jennie Chua was ourfirst Shaker & Mover (Jan-Feb 2004).She has given her kind permission forthe above letter to be published andour chairman Willie Cheng’s responseto her. He thanked her for a reallygreat compliment, and told her that inhis opinion, she is usually right –except when she disagrees with him.

The Magazine the Sector was Waiting ForDear Editor,

Kudos for featuring the movers and shakers of the growing non-governmentorganisation (NGO) and volunteer welfare organisation (VWO) scene here.

While many VWOs produce their own newsletters, SALT brings together news aboutso many different players on the scene, big and small. The way it tackles the big pictureissues in the sector eg. fundraising, transparency and most recently, individual givingin the Jan-Feb 2005 issue is commendable. This is a magazine the sector was waiting for.

Sim Chi Yin, Journalist

Suntec SingaporeG-Force ConcertDear Editor,

On behalf of the patients, staff andfamily members of the Institute of

Mental Health (IMH), a big thank youfor inviting us to the concert. It was afantastic show – all your volunteerperformers were indeed extraordinaryand commendable! Some of the residentshad not been out of the hospital for awhile, and this outing for them wouldnot have been possible if not for thegenerosity of Suntec Singapore, NVPC,and your volunteers that day who wentout of their way to make sure we werecomfortable. It was indeed a memorableday for all. Keep the volunteerismfire burning!

Chua Siew Hong Catherine,Institute of Mental Health

Ridin’HighR

iding and bladingfor a worthy causefrom 12 to 15

March 2005 will be morethan 50 avid cyclists andin-line skaters, includingMediaCorp Radio DJ RodMonteiro. Participants ofthe first-ever joint bikingand in-line skating eventto be held across Singapore and Malaysia, thisunique charity fundraiser is jointly organised bynonprofit organisation St. Andrew’s Mission Hospitaland global technology integrator Avanade Asia tohelp raise $500,000 for the new St. Andrew’sCommunity Hospital currently being built in Simei.The money will go towards defraying the operatingcosts of the new hospital. The four-day bike-and-blade journey will cover a scenic 420km route fromSingapore to Mersing in Malaysia and back.


BIG DEAL MEAL

Mainly I Love Kids (MILK)’s first Share-A-Meal

fundraiser this year involves some of the

biggest movers and shakers in town, the biggest

of them all being President S R Nathan himself!

For a minimum tender donation of $5,000,

donors can choose to have a meal with someone

from MILK’s Special Volunteers list that includes

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law

Professor S Jayakumar; Ambassador-At-Large

Professor Tommy Koh; Nominated MP Eunice

Olsen; MediaCorp artiste Fann Wong; and President

and CEO of SMRT Cooperation Ltd Ms Saw Phaik

Hwa. And in case you’re wondering, the top bid at

press time for a meal with President S R Nathan

stood at $50,000!

Artist’s impression of St. Andrew’sCommunity Hospital.

Fancy a meal with Eunice Olsen?

Russ

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g

On the go.

Habitat for Humanity’s Chairman Yong Teck Mengpresented in his trusty building cap.

B R I E F S

N E W SA W R A P - U P O F H A P P E N I N G S A R O U N D S I N G A P O R E

NEW GIRL IN TOWN

The Singapore Girl Guides Association has a

new name – Girl Guides Singapore (GGS).

Accompanying the name change is a new-look

logo that embodies the fresh and vibrant spirit

reflecting GGS’ boldness to reinvent itself and its

determination to be relevant, focusing on the

needs of the modern girl and woman.

KEEPING THE SPIRIT ALIVE

Over 200 volunteers who had signed

up with the National Volunteer &

Philanthropy Centre’s (NVPC) Tsunami

Crisis Volunteer Hotline gathered at the

Raffles City Convention Centre on 22

January to participate in the Tsunami

Volunteer Forum organised by NVPC.

Chaired by NVPC’s CEO Mrs Tan Chee

Koon, key representatives from Singapore

Red Cross Society, Mercy Relief, Ren Ci

Hospital & Medicare Centre, Habitat for

Humanity and Singapore International

Foundation shared with the audience

their experiences of doing relief work in

the tsunami-affected regions, lending an

insight into the intricacies of relief work

that many in the audience were unaware

of. Some of the organisations also

mounted mini-exhibitions of their relief

efforts that attracted much attention from

the volunteers when the forum ended,

proving that the spirit of volunteerism is

alive and well indeed.

WALK ON WATER

Fourteen Singapore Poly-

technic students and staff,

with their feet encased in

styrofoam blocks, took to

racing a 50-metre course on

the Singapore River to help

raise $100,000 for The Salvation

Army Haven Children’s Home,

Chao Yang School, Clementi

Student Service Centre and the

Singapore Polytechnic Over-

seas Community Service

Programme on 30 January. The

event formed part of the Singapore River Raft Race for the first time; the raft race itself

was a started by the polytechnic back in 1989 to help raise awareness of environmental

issues, with the rafts being made entirely of recyclable materials.


P E O P L E M O V E M E N T S

John Cheong was appointed as

Chief Executive Officer of the

Singapore Heart Foundation (SHF)

in early 2005. Prior to joining

SHF, he was Executive Director of

the YMCA of Singapore. Before YMCA, he was

managing director of a logistics group with

operations in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Over the past 20 years, John has been

actively involved in community related activi-

ties, and is Chairman of the Methodist Volun-

teers. He is also an active volunteer in many

grassroots organisations and schools.

SHF operates cardiac rehabilitation

programmes and centres to encourage and

assist cardiac patients in leading a life long

heart-healthy lifestyle and also provides

professional and research grants.

Tel: 62360630; email: [email protected]

Foo Pek Hong joined the staff

of Singapore Children’s Society

in August 2004 as Director of

Fundraising. With 28 years of

experience in the banking and

asset management industry, she was also

previously a teacher and is familiar with the

all-encompassing needs of children.

The fundraising department at Singapore

Children’s Society runs several regular annual

fundraising projects and events, including Flag

Day, Charity Film Premiere,Walk For Our Children,

and Donation Draw. The department works

closely with the authorities, corporations as

well as individual donors to raise funds. The

latest programme is GIVE, which is targeted at

encouraging the staff at corporations to

pledge a monthly donation to the 12,000

children and families in need. Tel: 62732010

Prior to joining NVPC as Director

of Marketing and Community

Partnerships on 3 January 2005,

Jennifer Lim was the Executive

Director of the Singapore Asso-

ciation of the Visually Handicapped (SAVH) from

May 1997 to December 2004.

Jennifer began her working career with

the Economic Development Board in 1989

where she was a Senior Creative Services Officer.

In October 1992, she joined the Singapore

International Film Festival as Director of

Marketing and Media, a position she held until

July 1993, when she was appointed by Nippon

Film Development & Finance to be its Managing

Director and to set up its Singapore-based

office. Four years and many accumulated air

miles later, she decided on a change in career

paths and joined the social service sector.

An ardent advocate for the disabilty cause,

she enjoys both culinary and travel pursuits.

Tel: 65509579; email: [email protected]

Big Stars,BiggerHeartsF

eaturing 40 of MediaCorp’s mostpopular artistes, internationalcelebrities as well as a daredevil

stunt by Venerable Shi Ming Yi whobalanced atop a 12-metre tower on a platemeasuring 20cm by 20cm for one hourand 45 minutes, the Ren Ci Charity Show,televised on MediaCorp TV Channel Uon 9 January, raised $7.25 million for theRen Ci Hospital and Medical Centre,above its target of $5 million. The hospital,founded by Venerable Shi in 1994 tocare for chronically ill patients, donated$500,000 from the money raised to thetsunami disaster relief effort.Look ma, no hands!

Putting their best foot forward.

LEARN AND SERVE

Executives and CEOs jaded by the rat race have a new outlet – Singapore International Foundation’s

(SIF) Singapore Executive Expedition (SXX) and its CEO equivalent, CXX. Modelled after the highly

successful Youth Expedition Programme (YEP), SXX and CXX will have executives and CEOs travelling to

developing countries such as Bhutan and Cambodia to undertake a community service project that will

meet a genuine need in the local community.

Said SIF’s Executive Director, Dr Tan Tay Keong,“Basically, you learn by serving. Instead of just letting

young people benefit from service learning, why not move it up to the executive and CEO level? From our

experience, it has been shown that community work is a great antidote to discontent. Hopefully, the

programmes will rekindle in the participants compassion and respect for other people, so that when they

come back, they are renewed and have a fresh perspective of the world.”

Pho

to c

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– T

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Stra

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Tim

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ALL HAIL THE MIGHTY TIN CAN

Chances of that tin can appearing in front of you will be

higher this year as the National Council of Social Service

(NCSS) has upped the number of flag days from 40 in 2004

to 63 for 2005. In addition to the 52 Saturdays, flags may

now be sold by charities on 11 Wednesdays during the

school holidays. This is the first time that a weekday has

been designated as a flag day. According to NCSS, a third

of the charities that applied in 2004 to hold a flag day

were unsuccessful and with the number of new charities

sprouting up, more will be looking to organise flag days,

a tried-and-tested and cost-efficient way of fundraising.

TOP OF THEIR GAME

The American Chamber of Commerce in Singa-

pore (AmCham Singapore) was awarded the

prestigious International American Chamber

Community Service Award by the US Chamber of

Commerce’s Centre for Corporate Citizenship on 2

December 2004. AmCham Singapore distinguished

itself in three areas – Corporate Community Day,

Workplace Initiative on HIV/AIDS, and the AmCham

scholarship at the Singapore Management

University. Said AmCham Singapore’s Executive

Director Mr Nicholas de Boursac,“AmCham is a

volunteer driven organisation. The work is done

by employees of AmCham members on a volun-

teer basis. Winning this award celebrates the spirit

of volunteering in Singapore.”


V POWER

NTUC FairPrice brought new meaning

to being a supermarket with a heart

when it officially launched its own volunteer

group Club V recently. Currently comprising

of some 30 FairPrice staff, the group is

confident that its numbers will grow in time

to come. One of the club’s first activities

was a charity car wash that managed to

raise $2,040 in cash and FairPrice vouchers

for a Pasir Ris family with quadruplets

who required special care. In conjunction

with the opening of FairPrice’s Tiong

Bahru Plaza outlet, Club V members also

helped to distribute bags of food items to

18 needy families in the Tiong Bahru area.

“Many of our staff work on shifts and

yet, they find the time and energy to help

the less fortunate through this club. This is

very reassuring,” said Mr Tey Lian Lee, Club

V’s team leader.

Relax Rules for Welfare GroupsThe Government needs to loosen the rules for voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), observed MP

for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Dr Chong Weng Chiew. VWOs are already weighed down by problems like

retaining suitable staff, and the current and proposed regulatory controls, in particular the reporting of

performance indicators, can add unnecessary bureaucracy to the VWOs and distract their workers from

their main duties.“Once the Government is satisfied with the VWOs management practice, it should not

be micro-managing their day-to-day operations,” he said.

As a regulator, the Government can also do more to support VWOs which are not religiously affiliated,

he suggested.This was in response to NVPC’s recent survey that showed that 52% of the $438 million donated

by individuals between April 2003 and April 2004 went to religious organisations.“Because they’re secular

and not restricted by guidelines, they can work with all groups to reach broad-based targets and all corners,”

he added.

Hongbao DelightN

early 4,000 elderly folk received early hongbaos in January from the ShawFoundation who gave away $100 to each recipient, double the amount givenin previous years. An annual tradition started in 1948 by the founders of

Shaw Organisation – the late Tan Sri Dr Runme Shaw and Sir Run Run Shaw– the amount was doubled because “$50 cannot buy you much these days”, said MrShaw Vee Meng, Chairman of Shaw Organisation. The Foundation was assisted in itscharitable act by the People’sAssociation (PA), which helpedthe Foundation to identifybeneficiaries from its publicassistance programme.One of the happy recipientswas 80-year-old Madam MahSuet Ying, a resident of LingKwang Home for SeniorCitizens who is single, has nofamily and receives $25 amonth from the PA. “With the$100, I can buy some food forChinese New Year and savethe remainder for the rest ofthe year,” she said. Madam Mah could not hide her delight with her hongbao.

Club V members have it in the bag.

Tin can coming your way soon...

Pho

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f SPH

– T

he

Stra

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Tim

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Pho

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– L

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Zao

bao


If volunteerism had a human expres-sion, it would probably be thegentle, shy smile of Jenny Goh.“These days, everyone is so busy

with their lives, they forget about familybonding,” says the mother of three.“Parents don’t really spend much timewith their kids and the kids do not evenwant to talk to their parents!”

Which helps explain her enthusiasmfor her role as School Family Education(SFE) Coordinator at her daughterJoanna’s school, CommonwealthSecondary, where she organisesparenting programmes and workshopsthat focus on family values and bondingfor parents, teachers and children alike.

“I’ve been in this role for two yearsnow,” Jenny says. “I think I can under-stand much better family dynamics andhow the young think. I know all mydaughter’s friends!”

This is not the first time that Jennyhas connected with the communitythrough her volunteer work. She recallsthat following the Ministry of Education’sappeal for more parental involvement intheir children’s schools in the late 1990s,she began helping out with wardrobe andmake-up during concerts when Joannawas in Primary 2 at Fuhua PrimarySchool. “I still help out there!” Jennysays with a bright smile.

Despite averaging around 18 hoursa week as the SFE Coordinator, over theyears, Jenny also finds time for a host ofother volunteer work, including helpingin the President’s Challenge, the costumedepartment at the Arts Theatre of Singa-pore (where her daughter is a member),as well as the library at CommonwealthSecondary School.

She has also helpedraise funds for theNational Cancer Centre,selling cookies and coordinating moviemarathons. Recently, Jenny was a volun-teer guide and usher at the tsunamimemorial service at Singapore Expo atwhich nearly 5,000 people attended.During the fearful uncertainty of SARS,she took temperatures at her localBarker Road church services and duringa jog-a-thon organised by the Malaycommunity. “We also sewed patches forthe Fabric of the Nation!” she recalls.

Together with a group of around 10friends (including her daughter Joanna),Jenny has formed an informal volunteernetwork that responds to calls for aid from

the community.“Time management is

very important,” saysJenny of the secret behindher seemingly inexhaustibleenergy. “My children areolder now, so I have moretime to volunteer.”

When asked to explainthis passion – there is noother word – for volun-teerism, Jenny’s answer isto the point and withoutartifice. “Volunteerismcreates a sense of

belonging,” she says. “I remember duringmy school days, when my family neededhelp, friends and teachers would reachout. This is something I’ve alwaysremembered and so I want to give some-thing back.”

Says Rosemary Chng, managingdirector of RCA Consultancy, a brandingand fundraising event managementsocial enterprise, “I first met Jennyduring her SARS stint and later whenI was recruiting for the President’sChallenge road show. I saw immediatelythat she had tremendous leadershipquality. She’s reliable, dependable,smart and can take the initiativeto lead and guide. These trustworthycharacteristics are very important forpeople running volunteer projects asthey create a lot of positive synergy thatis so critical to the success of a project.You can connect with her.”

It is this ability to connect that mostexemplifies the quality of Jenny Goh’scommunity work to date and, in the end,you cannot help but salute this mosthuman face of volunteerism. ✩

A Matter of PassionWhen it comes to volunteering, lack of time just isn’t in Jenny Goh’s vocabulary.

By DAVEN WU.

Cheerful countenance: Jenny (thirdfrom left) with fellow volunteers fromCommonwealth Secondary School’sParent-Teacher network at afundraising event for needy students.

“During my school days,when my family neededhelp, friends andteachers would reachout. This is somethingI’ve always rememberedand I want to givesomething back.”

V O L U N T E E R P R O F I L E


For 21 years, Goh Eng Kee haseyeballed impoverishment on aglobal scale.

Children to whom umbrellas andbath towels are luxuries. Children wholive in areas so remote and are soisolated from the world beyond theirvillages, getting into a vehicle brings onmotion sickness. Families who mustcope with drought, famine and AIDS allat one go. He’s seen it all.

The 57-year-old is the ExecutiveDirector of World Vision Singapore.Established in 1950 to care for orphansin Asia, World Vision’s raison d’être todayencompasses community developmentand advocacy for the poor across sixcontinents. Goh gave up his gig as newseditor with a local business daily to setup its Singapore outfit in 1984.

Still, in his face-off with hunger andpoverty in a damaged world, it appearsthat one of his most enduring battles isfought on home ground. And the boneof contention? Money.

“World Vision works in 100 countriesaround the world. The Singapore opera-tion has the dubious reputation of beingthe only one which can’t raise funds,”Goh grouses.

To obtain a fundraising permit inSingapore, foreign charities must under-take to channel 80% of net proceeds fromfunds raised to projects here.

While the Commissioner of Charitieshas the discretion to shift the 80% marker,it’s still a stretch for World Vision, wherethe bulk of funds go to impoverished

communities overseas.“We’ve not been able toget a single applicationapproved since 1990,” laments Goh.

So, fundraising is a no go. Goh’s daysare spent waging war for the hearts andminds of the local community instead.

“We do a lot of public awarenessrelated activities. We network with othernon-government organisations, we speakto organisations and schools when theyinvite us to, and we gladly communicatethe needs and how World Vision ishelping when asked,” he explains.

The silver lining, says Goh, is thatSingaporeans are very compassionatepeople. World Vision doesn’t solicitfunds, but, “You tell them of a need,”says Goh, “and they will give.”

“Of course, you have to have integrityin what you do. When they look at theorganisation and see that you do what yousay you will, then they have no problemgiving,” he adds.

The occupational hazards offundraising aside, Goh maintains that

his work with WorldVision rewards him withthe certainty that he’smaking a positive impacton someone else’s life.

Two years ago, Gohand his wife visitedMongolia. There, theymet a two-year old witha bad case of rickets.The couple decided tosponsor the child throughWorld Vision’s child spon-sorship scheme.

Today, the child isrunning, thanks to proper nutrition andhealthcare made possible by the sponsor-ship. “You not only see the needs, butyou see the progress being made,” statesGoh. “How many other jobs give youthat opportunity?”

Under the World Vision sponsorshipscheme, the public can sponsor childrenfrom poor communities around the worldat $45 a month. Funds are pooled andallocated to developmental programmesthat run the gamut of providing educa-tion, housing for families, healthcareand shaping economic activities – thelist goes on. Programmes typically span10 to 15 years.

Even as retirement looms, Gohreckons he will never fully leave from hiswork with World Vision. There’s simplytoo much to be done. “The mind saysyou can’t help all the kids in the world,but the heart says maybe you can try tohelp this one.

“Even if I’m not actively engaged, Iwill probably end up being a volunteer.” ✩

For more information on World VisionSingapore, visit www.worldvision.org.sg

Vision QuestThere’s no end in the fight against poverty. But Goh Eng Kee tells BRENDA YEO

he has no intention of letting up.

No kidding. Goh Eng Kee and his wifesponsor four children, among them,a four year-old from Mongolia.

“The mind says you can’t help all the kids in the world,but the heart says maybe you can try to help this one.”

P E O P L E S E C T O R P E O P L E


Rites of Pa

In a classic test case for the nonprofitsector, the Asian tsunami deliveredan unprecedented aid challenge fororganisations and individuals.Guest writer MONICA GWEE ofMeesPierson Philanthropy Servicestreads the post-tsunami ground.


ssage

Volunteers played – and will continue to play– a crucial role in rebuilding Meulaboh.

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Everyone has a tsunami story. It was a naturaldisaster that leveled rich and poor, famous andunknown, infant and adult, the fit and the weak,the proud and the humble. The destruction wasindiscriminate and profound, and in many cases,

complete. And so, it would seem, was the human response.Heard the one about the rescue dog? It injured its paws

during search and rescue as it clambered over mounds ofdebris, seeking out the maimed who might still be alive. Itshandler sent out an appeal for a vet since medical relief teamsswarming into action were, understandably, for humans.

The effect of the Indonesian earthquake and the resultingtsunami that affected nine countries was so emotional that thestory has it, seven full veterinary units responded from variousparts of the world. There were only four dogs in the searchunit. And just one dog injured.

As the weeks passed, the dramatic character of theunprecedented wave of global aid flooding into the worst hittsunami areas shifted to other events. But the tragedy struck achord so intensely with its elements of loss, grief, despair andutter human vulnerability, that its hold still grips enough toloosen the purses of millions of strangers worldwide.

Headless Chickens Running Around

For Singapore, the disaster was “a real close first handpractical experience of lending a helping hand in a disaster nearthis country,” said Mr Goh Eng Kee, Executive Director of theSingapore arm of the international aid agency World Vision.

“Suddenly, there were opportunities to challenge the desiresof caring hearts, the theories expounded in innumerableconferences, workshops and seminars on emergency relief, andthe emotional strains of reaching out in person,” Mr Goh noted.

In retrospect, and even as relief work is replaced by rehabili-tation and community re-building projects, this disaster has beenalmost like a rite of passage for the nonprofit sector. And donors.

“There were so many headless chickens running around,all trying to do good, but not knowing how to go about doingit, or simply doing it any how,” said Mr Liak Teng Lit, CEO ofAlexandra Hospital, which sent a medical team to devastatedAceh in Sumatra.

Mr Yong Teck Meng, Chairman of Habitat for Humanity(HFH), a Christian nonprofit involved in building decent housesfor needy families, observed matter-of-factly how some wellmeaning volunteers arrived in Aceh without the necessarymental and emotional maturity to understand the hellish depthsof human deprivation in the early weeks of the tsunami onslaught.

For seasoned volunteers knocked into shape by hard expe-rience, the unintentional behaviour of some sheltered, urban

Singaporeans who unwittingly became “disaster tourists” was apoint of arrival in emergency relief work. Before better vettingand volunteer preparation swung into force, too many peoplearrived with good intentions for an experience, “drinking allthe good water – and worse still – bathing with it,” he added.

The Anarchy of Altruism

In the initial chaos in Aceh in Sumatra, Phuket in Thailandand in Sri Lanka, aid groups and support nonprofits poured in,each “helping” as separate entities. They faced the kind ofdestruction so complete, only armies could even begin to charta logistical start point. The ground was not unlike a Hollywoodset depicting a post-nuclear landscape. Except the stench of deathfrom decomposing bodies everywhere was nauseatingly real.

Global media – from blanket TV breaking news coverage


��

��


to Internet chatrooms, charity websites and entire sectionsof newspapers and magazines – transmitted the disaster intoliving rooms and workplaces around the world. Everyonewanted to help, and to be seen helping. People sought anychance to donate money. Clearly, someone had to establishsome guidelines.

“It was a kind of ‘anarchy of altruism’,” noted Mrs TanChee Koon, CEO of the National Volunteer & PhilanthropyCentre (NVPC). “Our role was to establish a first port of callfor people wanting to help.”

Partnering with NTUC Income, NVPC set up a tsumanihotline to match volunteer and donation interest with needs.In the first four weeks of the aftermath of the disaster, over2,000 volunteers registered with NVPC to help out with therelief efforts.

Together with the Ministry of Community Development,Youth & Sports (MCYS), NVPC also held weekly sharing

sessions to connect NGOs and corporate givers. HFH’s MrYong found these coordination meetings valuable as a sharedplatform in a time when overwhelming good intentions wereinadvertently adding to the chaos.

Making the Best of Good Intentions

The sheer response from people wanting to volunteer theirservices created another challenge in volunteer management,preparation and training. Here again, the unique situationencouraged pockets of civil society, including local andinternational corporations, to examine how best their goodintentions could make a genuine difference without upsettingthe fragile nature of disaster sites.

The Jurong Country Club (JCC) raised $250,000 but wasuncertain where to channel the money to. “We went to anNVPC matching session for the relief efforts, and found outthat Mercy Relief was the first to lend their helping hand inIndonesia. They had taken on tasks that would really helpvictims in North Sumatra, but they were quite depleted infunds,” said Mr KC Foong, JCC’s President.

Acknowledged Hassan Ahmad, Executive Director ofMercy Relief, “Our staff have been very much focused onproviding relief to Aceh and Sri Lanka. We have not had muchtime to think about fund raising, so we are very appreciative ofthe spontaneous support from many organisations like JCC.” Todate, Mercy Relief has received $1.8 million for its tsunamiefforts.

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) with the support of themedia has been collecting the lion’s share of the outpouringfrom Singaporeans. At press time, its collections stood at $75million. SRC has established a Tsunami ReconstructionFacilitation Committee to help disburse the funds. It hasinvited and is processing applications from organisationsplanning reconstruction projects in the affected regions.

One of the grant applicants, HFH, indicated that they hadreceived an “in principle” grant of US$8 million out of theUS$10 million it requested for to build houses for victims nowliving in emergency camps.

“We’re overjoyed with the US$8 million. There was a verystrict criteria for due process and a code of conduct, but theseare standard procedures for us,” said HFH’s Mr Yong.

“The tsunami brought people together likenever before. Indonesia has seen manydisasters, but never anything like this.”

HE Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of Indonesia

��

Top & left: Mercy Relief volunteers get down to work rebuilding Meulaboh’sMuhammadiyah Secondary School.

Below: Bonding time.


Singapore and SRC have decided to focus relief andreconstruction efforts in Meulaboh, a war zone at best beforethe tsunami, and practically a clean slate after the tidal waves.

“The situation in Meulaboh is a tight learning curve.I would really encourage other nonprofits who want toparticipate to work with us. We can fly their flag; we don’t care.We just want to build good houses and separate groups wantingto build by themselves will not make things easier,” he added.

HFH will build 4,800 houses in the affected countries overa realistic time frame of three to four years. As a working principle,HFH volunteers pay their own way when they participate in

building missions to ensure that between 95 to 100 per cent offunding goes to materials for building decent housing.

“The whole process is going to be very good for Singapore.Before the tsunami, we had discussed an inter-faith groupfor such projects and here is a wonderful opportunity to dojust that,” Mr Yong said.

HFH will follow through on plans to mobilise Buddhisttemples and mosques to help build these homes. The issue ofreligious evangelising from Christian aid groups in strickenareas is not lost on him.

“We build houses because we are Christian, not becausepeople believe in our God. We don’t hide our Christianity, butwe don’t impose it. That has been the basis of our success.We build for everyone who needs a decent home, whatever hisreligion or race,” he said simply.

Besides Aceh, World Vision (WV) will be assisting hundredsof thousands in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailandthrough a three- to five-year strategic programme. Using localand global resources, WV’s work has moved away fromemergency response to the structured stages of communityand economic recovery.

“We’re looking at rebuilding and repairing bridges androads, water supply systems, local granaries and small foodprocessing facilities, village and community banks and a range

Top & right: The smiling faces of Meulaboh’s childrenshine hope on the future.

Above: The extent of the devastation in Meulabohcaught many off-guard.

“The situation is a tight learning curve.I would really encourage other nonprofitswho want to participate to work with us.

We can fly their flag; we don’t care.We just want to build good houses.

The whole process is going to be verygood for Singapore.”

Yong Teck Meng, Chairman, Habitat for Humanity


A M E A S U R E O F S A L T

In this issue, SALT highlights six nonprofit players in the humanitarian sector.

Humanitarian Nonprofit OrganisationsAll inputs provided by the societies and associations Operation Hope

FoundationSingapore RedCross Society

World VisionSingapore

SingaporeInternationalFoundation

Habitat forHumanity

Mercy Relief

i. Includes investment income ii. Also known as direct charitable expenses iii. Includes publicity, capital expenses and all other expenses iv. Fundraising expenses/donations (%)

GeneralDate of establishmentConstitution

Charity StatusIPC StatusWebsite

OrganisationChairman

Executive Director

No. of employeesNo. of SingaporeanvolunteersKey programme/Activity

Finances (S$’000)Income – Donations– Grants/Sponsorships– Membership fees– Other incomei

Expenditure – Programme expensesii

– Operating expenses– Fundraising expenses– Other expensesiii

Surplus/Deficit (2003)

Fundraising Ratioiv

Reserves/AccumulatedFunds (S$’000)

2001Company limitedby guarantee

YesNowww.ohf.org.sg

Robert Kee

–

15 80

Runningorphanagescum communityprojects inCambodia

(2003)213207

––6

237138954–

(24)

2%

89

1973Singapore RedCross SocietyIncorporation Act(Chapter 304)YesYeswww.redcross.org.sg

Lt Gen WinstonChoo, Retd.Geri Lau(Secretary General)

10327,100

Blood donorrecruitmentHome for theDisabledFirst Aid training Red Cross YouthmovementInternationalAssistance

(2003)5,1092,2561,867

1985

5,0564,18327039221153

17%

9,007

1981Branch Officeof World VisionInternational

YesNowww.worldvision.org.sg

Andrew Goh

Goh Eng Kee

10–

Supports World Visionprojects worldwidePromotes andpublicises WorldVision’s workDevelops its christianrelationships withchurchesServes its Singaporesupporters

(2003)4,7004,697

––3

4,7763,868908

––

(76)

NA

–


NoYeswww.sif.org.sg

Barry Desker

Tan Tay Keong

561,586

Youth ExpeditionProjectFriends ofSingaporeOverseasSingaporeansSingaporeVolunteersOverseas

(2003)10,287

3089,579

–400

9,7844,4705,039

–275503

NA

8,310


YesNowww.habitat.org.sg

Yong Teck Meng

Hosea Lai

3400

Global VillageBatam ProjectUnder No Roof

(2003)32616

120–

19025416094––

72

NA

72


YesYeswww.mercyrelief.org

Zulkifli Baharudin

Hassan Ahmad

5Over 3,000

HumanitarianReliefAcute Crisis Peace timedevelopmentprojects

(2003)1,6201,140 190

–290

1,026788 22810–

594

0.09%

594

of agricultural recovery activities – it’s the local infrastructureat the micro level,” said WV Singapore’s Mr Goh.

A New Spirit Arising

Hard or soft, the recovery issues in stricken countries alsoaffect the more fortunate ones who were spared the waves. Itwas a classic lesson in peacetime interdependence in a world,increasingly, without borders.

“On the SAF Chinook flying into Meulaboh from Medan,I saw on a bench across from me three young women, profes-sional healthcare volunteers. Whether by choice or chance,they were Chinese, Malay and Indian and obviously enjoyingeach other’s company in a very special volunteering mission,”Mrs Tan of NVPC recalled.

Perhaps, from this colossal disaster, a new spirit of socialcohesion within communities, countries and conflictingagendas will be the lasting return standing fast long after thewaves have receded. ✩

��

As part of its landmark

study in 2004 on the

philanthropy scene,

the National Volunteer

& Philanthropy Centre

commissioned

Singapore’s first ever

survey on corporate

giving. In this second

of three SALT features,

SUZANNE LIM plumbs

the depths of

corporate coffers.


NVPC’SNATIONALPHILANTHROPYSURVEY

If the recent tsunami disaster was anything to go by,it certainly appears that companies in Singaporemore than hold their own on the giving front. Take

Temasek Holdings, for instance. The group contributed$16.5 million to tsunami relief efforts, no small sum inany company’s books. Other companies in Singapore havealso demonstrated unprecedented generosity in comingforward with donations towards the relief efforts. But suchextraordinary events aside, just how generous are compa-nies in Singapore when it comes to charitable giving?

Not sufficiently, if the findings of the first ever corpo-rate giving survey commissioned by the National Volunteer& Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) in 2004 are anything to goby. Companies in Singapore donated just 0.21% of theirnet profit (pre-tax) to worthy causes in 2003. The totalcash contribution from Singapore companies to the charitypie for 2003 was $111 million, with the bulk of it (68%)going to tax-deductible causes.

Compared to their counterparts in other countries,Singapore companies need to pull up their socks if theyintend to join the league of admired corporate citizens

around the world. In the USA, companies contributed1.6% of pre-tax net profit to charity in 2003. Canadiancompanies followed with 1.03% (2000), while in the UK,the corporate giving rate stood at 0.95% (2002).

“The figure of 0.21% gives cause for serious reflec-tion. From the looks of things, companies can certainlyafford to be more generous with their giving. Think abouthow much bigger the charity pie would be if the compa-nies gave one, or even just half a per cent, of their netprofit!” says Mrs Tan Chee Koon, CEO of NVPC.

Interestingly enough, the survey also revealed thatalmost half of Singapore companies (42%) saw nohindrances whatsoever to them giving more. That beingthe case, why aren’t companies here more generous whenit comes to sharing their profits with worthy causes?

BOTTOM LINE DRIVENPerhaps the answer lies in the basic tenet of why

companies are set up in the first place, and more signifi-cantly, how much weight a company should place on thebottom line.

G�VEOr Not to Give?

TO



The Economist put it bluntly in “The Ethics of Business”in its 22 January 2005 issue when it stated that “Managersof public companies are employed by the firms’ owners tomaximise the long term-value of the owners’ assets. Puttingthese assets to any other use is cheating the owners” andthat “Managers who are accountable to their shareholders,should run their businesses.”

This view is shared by some local business leaders.Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, CEO of SMRT in a recent The BusinessTimes article stated that, “Companies do not have a socialresponsibility. A company is essentially an enterprise estab-lished for business and profit.”

Nevertheless, many companies here do give, and somequite generously too (see box story on Singapore’s Top 5Corporate Donors). After all, says Mr Peter Heng, Director ofCorporate Communications at SingTel, one of Singapore’s topcorporate givers, “Developing sound corporate social responsi-bility policies promotes business excellence and ultimately,enhances organisational reputation. These are vital ingredientsin increasing shareholder value and sustaining growth.”

But how do shareholders view this? Surprisingly,Mr David Gerald, President and CEO of the SecuritiesInvestors Association of Singapore (SIAS), the watchdogbody for shareholders here remarks that “Shareholdersshould support companies when they decide to donateto worthy charitable causes.”

“Objection is in order only if the company spends onan unauthorised item or unreasonably pays its directorsremuneration not commensurate with their performance.It’s sad if we have to even object to charity,” he adds.

Listed companies with the greater pressure on bottomlines will likely have less flexibility than private companies.

Findings showed that while listed companies formed the

majority of corporate givers in Singapore (53%) comparedto unlisted companies (33%), the percentage of net profit(pre-tax) that listed companies contributed to charity was only0.21%; unlisted companies fared better at 0.33%. However,given the larger sizes of the listed companies, the averagedonation amount (in cash and in-kind) stood at $171,530,while that for unlisted companies was $96,030.

“When you are listed, your whole approach to businessis different. The CEO will look at his quarterly results andshareholders will look at bottom line returns,” commentsMr Chandra Das, Chairman of unlisted NTUC FairPrice,one of Singapore’s top five corporate givers.

COMMITMENT ISSUESListed or unlisted, the survey shows there is definitely

room for improvement by local companies. Entrenchingcorporate charitable giving into the company’s agenda maybe one way that can help to beef up the giving percentagesin the future. The recent launch of Singapore Compactfor Corporate Social Responsibility could go some way ineducating companies here about being more sociallyresponsible and as a result, more open to the idea ofcharitable giving, whether in cash, in-kind or time.

“Singapore performed remarkably well in the recent Asiantsunami. Not only the people but also the corporate sectorwas very vibrant in responding and mobilising the resourcesto help. We want to continue to harness this spirit,” saysMs Claire Chiang, President of Singapore Compact.

Members of Singapore Compact include founders theSingapore National Employers Federation, National TradesUnion Congress, Consumers Association of Singapore andNVPC, as well as listed and unlisted bigwigs such as SingTel,Singapore Airlines, NTUC FairPrice, Shell, Standard Char-tered, Raffles Medical Group and Union Bank of Switzerland.

But ultimately, it’s not about belonging to a societyof socially responsible companies or even about one’s statusas a listed or unlisted company.

“It’s really about making a commitment and honouring it.We decided in 1999 to set aside 1% of our trading profit forworthy arts, educational, community and charitable causesand we have made good on this pledge over the years,”declares Ms Irene Ngoo, Vice President of corporaterelations at media giant Singapore Press Holdings (SPH),a publicly listed company that is Singapore’s top corporategiver and not a member of Singapore Compact.

“Companies do nothave a socialresponsibility.A company isessentially anenterprise estab-lished for businessand profit.”Ms Saw Phaik Hwa, CEO, SMRT

“Shareholders should support companieswhen they decide to donate to worthycharitable causes. It’s sad if we have toeven object to charity.”Mr David Gerald, President and CEO, SIAS

HSBC (above) and SingHealth (left)do their bit for charity.



SINGAPORE’S TOP 5 CORPORATE DONORS

Amedia company. A telco. A

retailer. A bank – make that two.

The top corporate givers in

Singapore come from very different

industries. While others debate about

whether the business of business is

only business, these companies do

more than their bit for the community,

even as they successfully discharge

their core business missions. Industry

leaders in more ways than one, they all

have one thing in common – formal

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

policies and programmes.

Our winner by more than a mile was

media giant Singapore Press Holdings

(SPH), with total contributions of nearly

$8.1 million. Our survey was based on

the company’s financials for fiscal year

2004 – if it had taken place a year

earlier, when SPH established its Press

Foundation of Singapore with an

injection of $20 million, it would easily

have led by a hundred miles!

NTUC FairPrice, Singapore’s super-

market with a heart, was no surprise.

After all, part of its vision is to be “the

best corporate citizen”. Over the last 20

years, it has ploughed back surpluses

of more than half a billion dollars to

Singaporeans in the form of dividends,

patronage rebates and bonuses.

“We do not hesitate to place people’s

welfare above commercial considera-

tions – especially when it comes to the

crunch, like during last year’s egg crisis

and SARS the year before,” declared

Mr Chandra Das, Chairman of FairPrice.

In the eyes of many, SingTel has

come a long way from its image of a

staid monopoly to a telco that touches

the lives of citizens beyond mere

telephone calls. Since the launch of the

SingTel Touching Lives Fund in 2002,

over $5.8 million has been raised for

more than 10 children’s charities.

But it’s not just the large locals

who are big corporate givers.

Most multinationals embrace a giving

culture, and a shining example among

them is Hongkong & Shanghai

Banking Corporation. Its support for

the environment and other causes,

its strong employee volunteer

programme with 60% participation

from its 1,800 employees here, and

other initiatives raise the bar for local

companies in CSR.

Over at DBS, the focus has been

on the arts and education. Thanks to

its patron sponsorship of the Singa-

pore Repertory Theatre (SRT) since its

founding in 1993, SRT has blossomed

from a small theatre group into Singa-

pore’s leading theatre company today.

A founding donor of the Arts House,

DBS has also generously supported

investor education programmes

conducted by the Securities Investors

Association (Singapore).

So how were our above Top 5

identified? It was certainly no easy

task. First came the definitions. What

constitutes monetary contribution

exactly? We concluded that we should

distinguish between direct donations to

charity (in cash or in-kind), community

related sponsorships (eg. an arts or

sporting event), and fund raising, where

the money collected comes not from the

company itself, but from its staff,

customers and business partners. Only

actual contributions were considered,

not pledges.These were then weighted.

Subsequently, based on our first

survey, we identified the leading

corporate givers and asked them for

their detailed financial information.

Most responded; a few declined on

the basis that they did not measure

(or want to measure) their contribu-

tions. We hope this list will encourage

others to be more forthcoming in

the future. After all, the business of

business must include the community

it operates in.

Who gave the most among Singapore’s corporates?For the first time ever, NVPC surveyed corporate

donors in Singapore to bring you the Top 5.

THE TOP 5 (S$’000)DONATIONS COMMUNITY FUNDS RAISED

COMPANY TO CHARITY* SPONSORSHIPS FOR CHARITY TOTAL

1 Singapore Press Holdings $3,290 $986 $3,820 $8,096

2 NTUC FairPrice $2,571 $1,485 $210 $4,266

3 Singapore Telecommunications $2,289 $396 $1,290 $3,975

4 Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation $1,352 $867 $219 $2,438

5 DBS Bank $415 $1,105 $1,850 $3,370

Source: NVPC’s Survey * In cash and in-kind

ONLY BROAD COMMUNITYAPPEAL CAUSES NEED APPLY

The majority of giving companies seem to be socialdo-gooders, with 65% wanting to give something back tothe community and 14% simply desiring to do good. Only9% admitted that their giving was to enhance the company’simage or reputation. It comes as no surprise then thatsectors with broad community appeal such as the socialservices (66%), education (30%) and health (25%) are thetop beneficiaries of corporate giving.

“People can relate to the visible signs of sicknessand physical handicap because they may have affected uspersonally or our families and friends. The problems aremore immediately recognised and touch people instantlyto move them to give,” notes Ms Ng Siew Eng, GeneralManager of not-for-profit Singapore Dance Theatre (SDT).

“The arts is not viewed as a necessity or crucial. MostSingaporeans therefore do not see the arts as ‘needy’ and itis even more challenging to raise funds and find sponsorship.A complete change of mindset is required before we’re likelyto see any marked increase in giving to the sector,” she adds.

President of Netball Singapore Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim hasa more cynical view of the situation.

“Despite the fact that netball is the largest women’s sportin Singapore and our team is second in Asia, it is still anuphill battle for us to garner sponsorship. Luckily, we havebeen able to find companies that have taken the time andtrouble to look at our proposals and decided to sponsor us,but they are few and far between. The biggest problem isthat most large companies support events or causes thatare politically connected – they should be looking at thecauses rather than apple polishing!”

The challenge then, it appears, is to convince companiesthat the less popular sectors are just as deserving of the charitydollar than the established ones. The question is “How?”

STRATEGIC ASKING IS KEYAccording to the survey, 47% of companies cited the

alignment between the cause of the charity or NPO withthe company’s core values as the main determining factorin their decision whether or not to give. The reliability andtrack record of the charity or NPO is also important – 40%of the companies highlighted this as the deal clincher.

“The charity or NPO needs to be run professionallyand be able to make a sales pitch for their particularproduct, be it a sport or a hospice, and at the same time,offer a platform which appeals to the donating company, “advises Mrs Singh-Lim.

Knowing which companies to approach is equallyimportant. Out of the existing pool of givers from Singapore’stop 1000 companies (S1000) and top 500 small and mediumenterprises (SME500), 24% of S1000 and 12% of SME500companies were likely to increase their giving in the nextthree years. Over half of these companies (S1000 – 52%;SME500 – 62%) were likely to maintain their giving overthe same period, while only 7% of S1000 and 10% ofSME500 companies were likely to reduce their giving.

In comparison, only 5% of existing non-giving companieswere likely to start giving in the next 12 months.

“It is certainly encouraging to see that companies are morelikely to increase rather than decrease their giving,” observesMrs Tan. “What we need to do is to convert the unconverted.For the charities and NPOs, the immediate task ahead is tostrategically target their asking at companies that are alreadygiving as they are the ones who are more likely to say yes.”

MORE THAN MONEYThe survey findings also point to other aspects of corporate

giving that can be improved, such as employee volunteering, forstarters. Only 17% of companies have employee volunteeringprogrammes. This is an area that would not require muchby way of financial support from the company, and thebenefits to the company can be significant.

What is needed, says Singapore Compact’s Ms Chiang,is to convince companies, especially the small and mediumenterprises, that the deep pockets of big businesses are notnecessary before they can contribute. “It’s about doing better,not more.”

The bottom line, then, is that Singapore companies canafford to do better and do more. And for 2005, the spike intsunami giving has been a good start. ✩


“The biggest problem is that most largecompanies support events or causes that arepolitically connected – they should be lookingat the causes rather than apple polishing!”Mrs Ivy Singh-Lim, President, Netball Singapore

“When you are listed,your whole approachto business is different.The CEO will look athis quarterly resultsand shareholderswill look at bottomline returns.”Mr Chandra Das, Chairman,NTUC FairPrice

Staff of NTUC FairPrice (left) are activelyencouraged to get involved in theco-op’s numerous charity programmes.


CORPORATE GIVING AT A GLANCE1

1 Survey conducted by AC Nielsen Research (Singapore) Pte Ltd and Taylor Nelson SofresSingapore Pte Ltd, based on the responses of 2,450 business entities. Surveys covered theperiod between June and October 2004.

Total: S$111m

TaxDeductible

68%(S$75.5m)

Non-taxdeductible

32%(S$35.5m)

Giving Incidence

AverageDonation

Donation as % to Net Profit Before Tax

TheCorporateGivingPie*

Donors’ Behaviour

Country Comparisons% Giving to Net Profit Before Tax

0.0USA

(2003)UK

(2002)Singapore

(2003)Canada(2000)

1.6%

0.95%

0.21%

1.03%

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0%

0Listed SME500 S1000 AllUnlisted

53%

28% 29%

48%

33%

10

20

40

30

50

60%

SME500 + S1000

0Listed SME500 S1000 AllUnlisted

$171,530

$30,830$4,860

$171,920

$96,030100,000

50,000

150,000

200,000S$

SME500 + S1000

SME500 + S1000

Where are they giving?% among donors

Social services

Education

Health

Community/Grassroots

Youth

66%

25%

30%

21%

18%

65%% among donors

9%

14%

Why do they give?

Give something backto the community

Simply to do good

Improve companyʼsimage/reputation

What stops them from giving more?% among donors

None

Profitability

Lack of time

No budget allocated

42%

19%

20%

13%

62%

What are donors’ giving trends?*% among donors

* For the next three years

24%

52%

S1000SME500

S1000SME500

S1000SME500

S1000SME500

Increase

Stay the same

Decrease

Not sure

12%

7%10%

18%16%

% among non-donors

*In the next 12 months

74%67%

Very unlikely/not likely

Not sure

Quite likely/very likely

Are corporate non-donors likely to donate?*

S1000SME500

S1000SME500

S1000SME500

21%28%

5%5%

How do they give?% among donors

Corporate foundations

Employee volunteer programme

Partnership with charity/NPO

Multi-company initiative

SHARE

5%

28%

17%

32%

37%

0.00Listed S1000 SME500 +

S1000Unlisted

0.21% 0.21% 0.21%

0.33%0.35%

0.05

0.10

0.20

0.15

0.30

0.25

* Cash and in-kind donations only, excludes sponsorship and fundraising.


W A L K T H E T A L K

TLC All AroundSamsung is geared up to spread TLC to the world – technology-linked care, that is.

BRENDA YEO taps into the technology giant’s digital hopes for community improvement.

“Alot of companies are not verystrategic about CorporateSocial Responsibility (CSR)

and what they are associating theirbrand with,” declares Allison Curran,who heads up Samsung’s Southeast Asiamarketing division.

Not the case with Samsung. Thecompany’s community programmes areunapologetically linked to their corecompetency. “We’re a tech company andwe want to invest in technology forimproving lives,” maintains Curran.

On a more modest scale, localsubsidiaries do give to charities outsideof the tech box. Samsung in Singapore,for instance, has in the past supportedthe Singapore Council of Women’sOrganisations and high profile fundraiserslike the Million Dollar Duck Race.

Last year, however, the companylaunched what is to be its star programmefor the region – DigitAll Hope. Thescheme rolled out in seven countries:Australia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia,Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.

Essentially a grant scheme, fundswere disbursed to initiatives that“improve lives with technology”. InSingapore and Thailand, Samsungsupported technology driven initiativesthat benefit the disabled. In Malaysia,Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam and thePhilippines, grants were made to projectsthat help young people “achieve theirdreams through the use of technology”.

In all, over US$550,000 in grantmoney was awarded in 2004, with Singa-pore’s share of the kitty coming in at alittle over S$190,000. Company estimatespeg the number of youths and people withdisabilities across the region benefitingfrom these projects at around 200,000.

To hear her tell it, acompany’s CSR strategyshould ideally marrybusiness and benevolence. Samsung’scommunity programmes, says Curran,are both a means to “enhance our brandimage and build stronger relationshipswith the local communities.”

Still, some situations defy pragmatism.And Samsung’s heartware kicked intohigh gear with the tsunami tragedy thatclosed 2004. Over 10,000 employees,many from the company’s medical centrein Korea, volunteered in the relief effortand in fundraising.

In all, Samsung pledged aroundUS$3 million to both relief and recon-struction efforts and sponsored MTVAsia Aid, an awards and benefit concertto raise funds for tsunami victims.

In a spin-off effort, Samsung auctioned

celebrity-autographed mobile phones toraise US$100,000 for charities inSingapore, Thailand, Philippines andMalaysia as well as UNICEF.

This year, Samsung plans to pumpup its community support using itsDigitAll Hope platform.

Staff volunteerism, for instance,is high on the agenda. “We have novolunteer committee within the SEAregion right now. But it is somethingthat we are looking into and particu-larly through DigitAll Hope.

“We see a lot of opportunity toincrease employee participation, notonly on the fundraising front, but interms of spending time with the bene-ficiaries. This kind of activity is very

important to put a face on what ourcompany is doing. It’s going to be amajor objective for us,” enthuses Curran.

There are also plans to rope inSamsung’s channel partners to bringdifferent facets to the programme.“We’re not certain of the details, butperhaps a portion of sales could go toDigitAll Hope charities. We could alsobring our channel partners in onemployee volunteerism programmes.”

The key to stepping up andsustaining programmes over the longterm will be senior managementsupport. Fortunately, that’s in amplesupply. Asia CEO Mr S J Park is a firmsupporter of corporate social responsi-bility programmes, says Curran.

Yes, he turns up for events to showhis support. But ever the pragmatist,Curran observes: “In the end, coming toan event is nice. But making sure that wecan continue to have such events is veryimportant. And he [Mr Park] has alwayscommitted the resources to do so.” ✩

Funny business. Samsungstaff spread cheer atSociety for the PhysicallyDisabled, one of twowinners of DigitAll Hopegrants in 2004.

“We’re a tech companyand we want to investin technology forimproving lives.”


S A L T S H A K E R S & M O V E R S

The Heart of the LionWhere Zulkifli Baharudin, Chairman of Mercy Relief, is concerned, success for the humanitarian

organisation isn’t about the number of projects or the amount of funds raised. It’s all aboutengaging the heart and soul, he tells guest writer CHEAH UI-HOON of The Business Times.

It’s Sunday morning, but that was thebest time available to catch ZulkifliBaharudin: at the spacious oasis of his

home, in between his multiple regionaltravels and domestic appointments. Takethis interview, for example. It took placejust before his appearance that afternoonat the recently concluded Caltex SingaporeMasters golf tournament to receive acheque on behalf of Mercy Relief.

As chairman of the humanitarianaid organisation Mercy Relief, Zulkifli’sschedule – as one can imagine – has beenthrown into a busier loop than usual dueto the Asian tsunami disaster. Mercy Reliefhas been propelled to the frontline of aidefforts, despite the fact that the organi-sation is less than two years old!

Zulkifli, however, is taking it all inhis stride. In his relaxed Sunday mode,the 45-year-old shows no evidence ofbeing out of his depth at a time like this,when he has to keep a handle on bothfundraising and volunteer coordinationin Singapore, as well as the distributionof aid in Sumatra and Sri Lanka.

To have a better idea of what and howMercy Relief will feature in Singapore inthe next few years is to get a handle onits Chairman.

“I discovered you can’t have a veryfulfilling life if you live apart from acommunity; and the community can’t

thrive if people don’t contribute to it,”declares Zulkifli. This point neatly sumsup his ethos towards Mercy Relief andhis life in general – as a logistics man, abusinessman with regional concerns, aMuslim, and former NMP (not in anyorder of importance or preference).

Appointed as the first chairman ofMercy Relief in 2003, Zulkifli lays outhis vision for the “truly Singaporean”operation. “I’ve always been ‘colour-blind’where race is concerned, and a firm

advocate of the ideals of Singapore,” hestates unequivocally. His own life is anexample: Zulkifli has a Chinese-Muslimwife and a Hokkien-Peranakan father.

Founded by Perdaus (Adult IslamicReligious Students’ Association ofSingapore), Mercy Relief later becamean independent body and separate fromPerdaus. Today, its main supportersreflect an inter-religious and inter-racialbackground, such as the Singapore SokaAssociation, the Young Sikh Association,the Singapore Catholic Archdioceseand The Islamic Religious Council ofSingapore.

Once Mercy Relief threw open itsdoors to volunteers from all walks of life,

“You can’t have a very fulfilling life if you live apartfrom a community; and the community can’t thriveif people don’t contribute to it.”

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Specialists in Philanthropy ManagementSTRUCTURING • FINANCING • TRUST AND CORPORATE SERVICES • INVESTMENTS • INSURANCE • REAL ESTATE

it became a neutral platform to bringSingaporeans together with three goalsin mind: to galvanise them into having asense of responsibility for our neighbours;to lend a helping hand in times of need;and last but not least, to show that there’sa real heart in the lion city.

For example, one of Mercy Relief ’sfirst projects was to build orphanagesin China, Cambodia and Indonesia.“We chose to build orphanages becausewe wanted to involve young Singaporeansin these missions, and also to have themwork on something which will touchtheir lives,” he recalls. But why physicallabour instead of raising money?

“Because we wanted the youth to workwith the local people and live the waythey lived,” he answers swiftly. But whileMercy Relief has rendered plenty of aidsince it was set up, it isn’t trying to projecta “political Singapore”, says Zulkifli.

“We don’t have any other agenda –Mercy Relief isn’t meant to be a PR thing.But it’s good to remember that when wehelp others, we’re also helping ourselves.We learn more when we give,” he says.

It’s an even pay-off: Singaporeansbecome better people and neighbours,and we also become better appreciated.This conviction stems from his frequentbusiness trips around the region. Heshares: “We’re often respected for theway we do things, for our efficiency and

progress. But I’m notsure whether we’readmired as a people anda society. We’re oftenthan not envied, butbeing admired is some-thing else.”

Getting Singaporeansinvolved in hands-onwork, he feels, is oneway to show that there’sa heart in this lion.The tsunami has shownup Singapore’s “heart-ware’” very clearly, headds, referring to thevolunteers who steppedup and the outpouringof donations. He was inJapan when the tsunamihit, and flew almostimmediately to Medanto assess the needssituation there.

“I knew we neededto go to the groundimmediately to establisha logistical network. Wewere able to establishthe entire linkage veryquickly – that’s the kindof resources we have,”he says with a hint of pride.

Setting up these linkages are hisforte, having been vice-president of amultinational logistics firm beforestarting his own business in the region.“I feel very connected to the region,because of my business and also becauseof friends I’ve made,” he elaborates.

When not caught up with MercyRelief and work, Zulkifli is angling – forfish. He used to play football (he’s stillpart of the Singapore Sports Council),and tries to squeeze in skiing holidays acouple of times every year.

Mercy Relief is a young organisationand in the process of growing, he notes,and he hopes the organisation will stay

relevant to the typeof work it was set upto do. Visits to teams sent out onmissions allow him to get an up closeand personal look at whether the organi-sation is “doing the right thing”. Like hisrecent visit to Sumatra, for instance.

“When we saw the bond that hadformed between the Singaporeans andthe children they built the orphanagefor, we felt that we had ‘arrived’.”

In Zulkifli’s record books, the “desti-nation” isn’t how many projects MercyRelief has undertaken, nor even how muchfunds it has raised. It’s about whetherSingaporeans are engaged, heart andsoul, with the people around them. ✩

“We don’t have any otheragenda – Mercy Reliefisn’t meant to be a PRthing. But it’s goodto remember thatwhen we help others,we’re also helpingourselves. We learnmore when we give.”

Hands on. Zulfiklihelped distribute playpacks to Meulaboh’schildren.


For most companies in Singapore,corporate philanthropy does notappear to be a topic important

enough to warrant much attention(my definition of philanthropy includesvolunteerism). The dictionary meaningof philanthropy is love for mankind asshown in acts to promote its well-beingby donating to worthy causes or benevo-lent activities. Anecdotally, it appearsthat this apathy is less common incompanies in the first world.

Of course, I am not saying there areno good examples in Singapore – manycompanies do donate to the underprivi-leged, civic and cultural organisations.The recent response to the tidal wavetragedy is proof that companies can(and do) rise to the occasion when theneed arises. Indeed, some companies,such as the Hongkong and ShanghaiBank, have entrenched employee volun-teer programmes like their GreenVolunteers. However, they represent avery small percentage of companies inSingapore, and their total contribution isnot large in comparison with theirmarket capitalisation.

The benefits of corporate philan-thropy extend beyond the mentalsatisfaction of fulfilling the desire forshouldering social responsibility.

Such acts enhance the corporate imageof the company, which can lead to alarger market share. The strong positiveeffect on the consumer psyche of acompany’s philanthropic acts also cannotbe discounted.

A company can also view under-taking philanthropic acts as one way ofgiving back to the society from which ithas gained its success. Employee prideat belonging to such an organisation canalso translate to higher employee motiva-tion levels, and it has been observedthat working together for a noble causeoften helps to inculcate team spiritin a company.

Some people are of the opinion thatthe government should provide thesupport for worthy organisations andphilanthropic activities. The government

does play this role to some extent – itgives funding to charitable organisations(though not much), and grants taxconcessions on corporate profits fordonations. But that is not enough. It isup to the citizens (corporate and indi-vidual) to supplement these charitableacts of the government.

It’s been said that the corporate tax

rate of 20 per cent in Singapore doesnot encourage philanthropic inclina-tions. Although double tax deductionsare enjoyed if donations are given toInstitutions of Public Character, therules are rather complex and restrictive.Arguments have been made for arelaxation of the rules, but it must beunderstood that the government’s policyis to impose a lighter burden on thecompanies and to leave them to choosewhat to do with their surpluses.

Companies, especially those withhealthy profits, should play their role. Inan article in Newsweek in January 2004,it was suggested that the way companiescan truly help the communities in whichthey do business is if they donated oneper cent of their revenue, stock andemployee’s time to improve the lives ofthose around them. In many cases, thesecompanies would be even more powerfulthan some of the largest governments inthe world today!

In Singapore, the above suggestionis probably too bold for many companiesto adopt. Dedicating one per cent or atleast half a percent of profits (as opposedto revenue) to corporate philanthropymay be a much easier pill to swallow.When that becomes a corporate policyadopted widely by companies, the busi-ness world in Singapore will likely beviewed as among the best corporatecitizens in the world – a worthwhile goalto aim at in line with all the otheraccolades given to Singapore. ✩

CHAIRMANSINGAPORE SYMPHONIA

PROF CHAM TAO SOON

BY

Of Profit and PhilanthropyAside from spurring the economy on, profitable companies need to do moreto boost corporate philanthropy in Singapore, says Professor Cham Tao Soon,

Chairman of Singapore Symphonia.

S A L T A N D P E P P E R

“The strong positiveeffect on the consumerpsyche of a company’sphilanthropic actscannot be discounted.”

Some 500,000 semi-skilled andunskilled foreigners live and workin Singapore. They tend our homes,

help build our roads, clean our streetsand more. Still, every so often, saysBridget Lew, “They are like a foreignbody in our tissue that gets rejected.”

“Lower skilled foreign workers inSingapore are a marginalised group,” sheobserves. “They don’t have the compe-tencies – language for instance – to helpthem understand the rules of the game.They get cheated by unscrupulous peopleas a result. We feel we have to help.”

Refusing to simply stand by, Lewset up and is now President of theHumanitarian Organisation for Migra-tion Economics (HOME).

Registered as a society in September2004, HOME opens its doors to migrantworkers in need – hopefuls who havecome to Singapore on promises of workand plumper wages, but end up joblessand destitute, cheated by employmentagents; domestic helpers who haven’tbeen paid in months, don’t get days offor enough to eat – the list goes on.

Out of a shop house on VeerasamyRoad in Little India, HOME plays advo-cate to these migrant workers on thornyissues like trafficking, exploitation, evenabuse. It runs two shelters, one for menand another for women, and also providesfinancial assistance when needed.

The staff estimate that some 50 menhave sought help from HOME since itopened its doors. The number is higherfor women – HOME’s shelter for womenhouses about 18 women at any given time.

Of necessity, the society works with abroader network that includes governmentbodies like the Ministry of Manpower

(MOM), SingaporeImmigration andCheckpoint Authorities,legal firms and civic and religious groups.

It’s been no walk in the park. Forinstance, Lew drew deep from her personalfunds, her CPF included, to bankrollHOME’s two staff, its programmes,services and facilities. “I feel like I’mbleeding everyday,” says Lew.

But the financial front looks sunnier oflate. HOME received a leg up recently witha $100,000 New Initiative Grant from theNational Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre.

Over the longer term, Lew is lookingto a handful of social enterprises to keepthem going. The society operates a thriftshop and an Internet café from itspremises. It offers catering services,where the multinational residents of its

women’s shelter plate upregional favourites. It’sbegun work on anemployment agency andthere are plans to set up ahostel on HOME premises.

Do they have theirfingers in too many pies?“We have to make a runfor the money. Opportunitylost is cost,” responds Lew.By her calculations, thevarious social enterprisesshould generate $100,000a year for HOME – a

target Lew is confident they can reachwithin six months.

Still, it’s early days yet, and HOME,Lew concedes, is finding its feet. “Thereare so many challenges, so many thingsto do,” she says. “What we’re doing nowis fire fighting. Our advocacy, welfare andempowerment programmes, and servicesare yet to be really established. We’d liketo have the luxury not to just fire-fight,but to be proactive and work ahead.”

With their work cut out, volunteers willbe a critical resource. HOME volunteerspitch in as translators, help collect oddsand ends for the thrift shop and lend ahand at HOME’s various enterprises.HOME’s volunteer pool swelled in recentmonths when HOME put out the call inits tsunami crisis response. The societywas working with MOM to provide assis-tance to foreign workers affected by thedisaster. “We hope to engage the localcommunity more in what we’re doingand get more talented people whobelieve in the cause to help us.” ✩

For more information on HOME, logonto www.home.org.sg.


N E W S A L T

HOME Is Where The Heart IsMarginalised foreign workers in Singapore now have a place to call their own,

thanks to a place called HOME. BRENDA YEO drops in for a visit.

“Lower skilled foreignworkers in Singapore area marginalised group.They are like a foreignbody in our tissue thatgets rejected.”

Bridget Lew of HOME (left) and JeanetteHar of Ministry of Manpower. HOME wasofficially launched on 18 December 2004,International Migrants’ Day.

May the ForceBe With You12 December 2004, The Suntec Singapore G-ForceConcert, Suntec Singapore Convention Centre Theatre

Three hundred beneficiaries from different welfare

organisations such as The Tent and The Institute of

Mental Health were treated to an exhilarating afternoon of song and dance by volunteer

performers eager to spread the message that the arts is an avenue for giving. Jointly

organised by Suntec Singapore and the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre

(NVPC), the performers included

girl group CCCrush, Chinese rap

outfit Chou Pi Jiang, taikoo

drummers from the Movement

for the Intellectually Disabled of

Singapore (MINDS), the kids

from childcare centre Child At

Street 11, and sign/dance group

Xtomic from the Singapore

Association for the Deaf.

Spreadingthe Joy18 December 2004, HSBC Children’sChristmas Party, Raffles House,Fort Canning Park

An 80-strong team of volunteers from the

Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corpora-

tion (HSBC) treated 70 children and youths

from the Singapore Association for the

Deaf and the Singapore Children’s Society

Convalescent Home to an evening of

merry-making and a sumptuous Christmas

feast at their annual Children’s Christmas

Party. To top off the festivities, the children were treated to a tour of the Christmas light-

up along Orchard Road in specially chartered buses that had a balloon sculpture artist, a

glitter tattoo artist, a caricaturist and a face painter on board!


VolunteerPower5 December 2004, The Standard CharteredSingapore Marathon, The Padang

It was apt indeed that the Standard

Chartered Singapore Marathon was held

on 5 December, which also happened to

be International Volunteer Day. Some

700 volunteers were mobilised for the

marathon to help as time chip collectors,

water distributors, road marshals and first

aiders, some from as early as 3am that day!

Among the volunteers was NMP Eunice

Olsen, who was also appointed the NVPC’s

Youth Volunteerism Ambassador that day,

and performed her duties as a medal

presentation volunteer with utmost

professionalism, despite the sweltering 35

degree Celsius temperature!

Her smile says it all.

NVPC’s Youth Volunteerism Ambassador Eunice Olsendoing her bit for the marathon.

We’re almost there...

CCCrush sang their hearts out for thebeneficiaries.

Hit that perfect beat – MINDS taikoo drummers.

SCENE&SEEN

Faster, Higher, Stronger20 November 2004,State Street Children’s Olympics, Woodlands Sports Hall

Joyous sounds of running feet and laughter filled Woodlands Sports Hall on a Saturday

morning when kids from Life Community Services, En Community Services and Galilee

Centre participated in the inaugural State Street Children’s Olympics, organised by volun-

teers from State Street Bank. The children competed in six challenges for a chance to walk

away with a commemorative trophy and gift vouchers sponsored by State Street Bank.

Boy, did they sing with gusto!

On your mark, get set, go!


Happy 75th, BB!10 January 2005, Boys’ Brigade Jubilee Reception, The Istana

As part of a year-long celebration of its 75th year in Singapore, the Boys’ Brigade

Singapore (BB) held a special jubilee reception at the Istana to honour outstanding BB

volunteers. The Old Boys’ Band showed that the passage of time had not dulled their

passion for music as they entertained the guests with familiar BB favourites. Guest-of-

Honour President S R Nathan hosted the reception and presented appreciation awards

to long-serving BB volunteers.Surf’s Up!4 December 2004, The Great SingaporeVolunteer Surf, Singapore Polytechnic

Some 200 senior citizens got their first taste

of surfing the Internet at the Great Singa-

pore Volunteer Surf, thanks to guidance from

20 student volunteers from the Overseas

Family School. The participants not only

learnt how to familiarise themselves with

using the Net, but also discovered online

about volunteering opportunities available

as well as how to make an online donation,

proving that you’re never too old to get

Net savvy and to start giving.

The BB Old Boys’ Bandstrike a pose.

Volunteer cyber guides show the way forward.

Poolside Fun10 December 2004, St. Luke’s Hospital DayOut, Police Academy

Volunteers from the Police Academy and

the National Council of Social Service (NCSS)

organised a poolside party for 30 residents

from St. Luke’s Hospital Day Rehabilitation

Centre, fulfilling a wish that St. Luke’s

Hospital had submitted to NCSS for the

President’s Challenge last year. Most of the

residents were stroke survivors, but the

volunteers came up with interesting

games that suited different mobility levels

and also educated the residents on basic

safety measures such as how to ward off

pickpockets and conmen. To round off the

day, residents and volunteers sang their

hearts out during the karaoke session.

9 – 12 MarchWhite Men With WeaponsTime: 8.00pmVenue: The Necessary StageBlack Box

Part of nonprofit drama group

The Necessary Stage’s annual M1

Theatre Connect series, this award-

winning South African play explores

what happens to the minds of men

who are forced to fight a senseless

war in a foreign land. Written and

performed by Greig Coetzee, this

play is by turns funny, poignant and

harrowing, and has won acclaim for

its hilarious but clear-sighted exami-

nation of masculinity, militarism and

what happens when you realise

you’ve been fighting the wrong war.

Tickets are priced at $19 and $24 and

are available from SISTIC outlets

island-wide or call 63485555 or visit

www.sistic.com.sg.

13 March KDF Patients’ Family DayVenue: Fort Canning Park

The Kidney Dialysis Foundation

(KDF) is organising a Family Day for

patients and their families to provide

patients with some recreational

time away from their regular treat-

ment regimes and to enhance

interaction amongst patients and

their family members. Help from

corporate and individual donors and

volunteers are needed to help make

this event a success.

To donate or volunteer, please call

Ms Janice Soon at 62253133 ext. 18 or

email [email protected].

16 MarchRediscovering Resources WithinTime: 6.30pm – 8.30pmVenue: Patient Care Services Lobby,Level 2, National Cancer Centre

A group for self-rediscovery of

one’s inner strengths that are often

lost when illness strikes. All about

regaining energies and strengths

that once worked, this workshop

helps you to find your resilience in

the midst of uncertainties.

To register, please call 62255655

during office hours.

6 – 24 AprilBoeing BoeingTime: 8.00pmVenue: Victoria Theatre

Back by popular demand after

its sold out run in 2002, not-for-

profit theatre company Wild Rice

brings back this hilarious comedy

about a bachelor and his three air

stewardess girlfriends, each blissfully

unaware of the others’ existence!

Just how long can he keep this act

up? Guaranteed to lift your spirits,

bust your stress and take you on a

mile-high adventure, this play is

directed by Glen Goei and features

the acting talents of Lim Yu-Beng,

Emma Yong, Pam Oei, Chermaine

Ang and Brendon Fernandez.

Tickets are priced from $18 – $58

and are available from all SISTIC

outlets island-wide or call 63485555 or

visit www.sistic.com.sg.

23 AprilSt. Luke’s Hospital and St.Luke’s Eldercare Joint Flag DayVenue: Island-wide

Volunteers and staff of St. Luke’s

will be all around Singapore selling

flags to raise funds for the operations

of St. Luke’s Hospital and St. Luke’s

Eldercare. A voluntary welfare organ-

isation, St. Luke’s relies heavily on

donations to run its programmes

and day care centres for the elderly

that seek to provide quality and

affordable healthcare, so donate

generously when you are approached!

Volunteers are also needed to help

sell flags on that day.

To volunteer, please call Mr Sitoh

of St. Luke’s Hospital at 65632281 or

email [email protected].


CALENDARD A T E S T O N O T E

8 – 11 MarchSusan EllisVolunteer Management SeminarsA highly sought after international speakerfor volunteer management, Susan Ellis isthe president of Energize, Inc., an interna-tional training, consulting and publishingfirm specialising in volunteerism. Authorof 11 books on volunteerism and

numerous articles, Susan is also co-publisher of the internationalonline journal, e-Volunteerism (www.e-volunteerism.com).

8 & 9 MarchBeyond the Basics: Advanced Trainingfor Volunteer CoordinatorsTime: 9am – 5pmVenue: Amara Singapore, 165 Tanjong Pagar Road

On 8 and 9 March, Susan will be conducting an intensive two-day

seminar on Beyond the Basics: Advanced Training for Volunteer Coordinators,

designed to offer the opportunity to explore in depth several key elements

of volunteer management. This seminar is meant for those who have

completed the course An Overview to Volunteer Management Systems

conducted by NVPC or experienced volunteer coordinators who have

been in the field for at least three years. The seminar fee is $350, inclusive

of course materials and refreshments.

11 MarchVolunteer Management for Employee Volunteer ProgrammesTime: 9am – 5pmVenue: National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre,7 Maxwell Road, MND Complex Annex B, #05-01

On 11 March, Susan will be conducting a one-day seminar on Volun-

teer Management for Employee Volunteer Programmes, aimed at

teaching companies how to put in place and manage effective Employee

Volunteering Programmes (EVP). It is targeted at staff managing corpo-

rate volunteers in an EVP or companies intending to start an EVP. The

seminar fee is $157.50, inclusive of course materials and refreshments.

To register, visit www.nvpc.org.sg to download the registration form. For

more information on the seminars, please call Ms Lam Moy Yin at 65509566.

The Nonprofit Sector Training Grant (NTG) is applicable for the seminar fees.

For more information on NTG, please call Ms Gim Ong at 65509583.

9academic and

research institutions

100UN and international

organisations

Largest internationalcommunity

donation to date:

Germany

S$522million

(approximately)

“This was a natural phenomenonso brutally destructive, it almostseems evil.”Jonathan Head, BBC correspondent reporting from Banda Aceh, Indonesia

“This disaster seems like a nightmare fromwhich we are still hoping to awake.Except that for millions, this nightmareis devastatingly real.” Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General

“It hurts my heart.”Thaksin Shinawatra, Thai Prime Minister on the tsunami disaster that haskilled scores of Thais and tourists

“Actually, I just struck the lottery.”Response from an anonymous donor who, together with his friend, droppedoff $200,000 in cash for the tsunami victims at Singapore Press Holdings’headquarters in Toa Payoh North on 31 December 2004

“We are encountering a second wave oftsunamis, bigger and more powerfulthan the first. It is the tsunami ofcompassion and care we have receivedfrom the international community.” Surasak Chuasukonthip, Thai Charges d’Affaires at the memorial servicefor tsunami victims held at the Singapore Expo on 9 January 2005

“People who sincerely wantto do good deeds don’t needpublicity. It’s from the heart.”A Singaporean businessman based in Bangkok who supplied 20 four-wheeldrive trucks from Bangkok to Phuket to help search for survivors. He wantedonly to be known as Mr Soh.


A D A S H O F S A L T

All information accurate at time of print. Sources: www.cnn.com, The UK Telegraph,www.timesonline.co.uk, Channel News Asia Singapore, www.newsscientist.com, www.glob-alissues.com, www.un.org, www.reliefweb.int, www.cbcnews.ca, www.alertnet.org,www.cbsnews.com, www.nationmaster.com, www.abcnews.go.com

TSUNAMI DISASTER IN NUMBERS

S$11.9 billionTotal aid contributions pledged bygovernments and the World Bank:

Number of deaths:(approximately)

297,000

Highest death toll:Indonesia(approximately)

243,000

Number of peopledisplaced:

1,675,000

Number of childrenorphaned:

Between 6,000and 35,000

Amount raisedby the

Singapore RedCross Society:

S$75million

Country thatpledged the most

money:

USAS$1.6 billion

19news and media

organisations

200non-governmental

organisations

60government

bodies

Number ofworld heritagesites destroyedor damaged:

(Including the Old Town ofGalle in Sri Lanka, the tropicalrainforest in Indonesia and theSun Temples of Konarak in India)5

Compiled by Michelle Bong

S$316 million(approximately)

Amount needed to providefood to tsunami survivorsfor the next six months:

S$61 million(approximately)

Amount needed by the World HealthOrganisation (WHO) for psycho-social trauma support for survivors:

Number of groups involved in worldwide relief aid:

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A NATURAL DISASTER OFNIGHTMARISH PROPORTIONSALSO AWAKENS OUR MOST VITALTRAITS AS HUMAN BEINGS.

BY SHOWING COMPASSION,YOU GIVE OTHERSTHE HOPE TO CARRY ON.

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM NVPCTO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED

TO KEEPING THAT HOPE ALIVE

This advertisement space is sponsored by HSBC.

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